Setts



1,645,406 o 1927 5. SMITH. ET AL smcx mamas AND FEEDING macmmrsm FiledNov. 27. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1g M I a 4/ ,6? .9. /03 //4M RNEYS.

Oct. 11, 192 7.

E. L. SMITH ET AL STACK FORMING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 27,1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEYJ A/ Oct. 11, 1927.

E. L. SMITH ET AL STACK FORMING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 27,1926 4 Sheets-She'et 3 Y- X 4/ /dj ,6,

C if =INVENTOR.

BY 7RNEYS Oct. 11, 1927.

' E. L. SMITH ET AL STACK FORMING AND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 27,19 26 4SheetS-Sheet 447T, a fir I 2 f 6/4? 5 A? wmmlam A TTORNEYS.

Patented @et. ll, 1927.

barren stares l arest cri ics,

ELMER LOVELL SMITH AND ARTHUR E. PEI ELSE, (2F SPBIILIGFIELD,IVIASSAOHUSETTfi,

ASSIGNORS 'IO PACKAGE llIACT'IINERY GSIEPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHU-SETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

STACK FORMING- AND FEEDING MECHAI'TISIVI.

Application filed November 27, 1528. Serial No. 151,199.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for arrangingarticles into columns or stacks and for feeding thecolumns or stackssuccessively to any suitablercceiver or receiving mechanism. The machineof this invention is more particularly adapted to handle articles of asubstantially disc like form, such for example cookies, wafers and thelike, although it is, or can be, readily adapted to handle othersubstantially fiat, thin articles whether or not they have a circular orrounded contour.

As an illustrative exampleof one specific use of the invention and as anexample of a particular use whichpresents ratherdii'licult problems, theinvention will be dis closed in an embodiment designed for han' dlingcookies. These cookies, which are substantially circular discs, areeasily breakable and moreover they are non-uniform.

After the baking operation, the cookies will be found to varyconsiderably in thickness and they often become warped or bent so thattheir faces no longer present true flat surfaces. When such articles areto be packed into cartons, or wrapped preparatory to such packing, theymust bearranged in stacks of approximately a given length. lo divide offthe cookies into stacks by count is not feasible because, due to thevariations, above alluded to, a stack containing a given number ofcookies will vary in length within suchlimits that some of the stackswill be too long to fit into the cartons.

According to one feature of this invention, the cookies, having beenarranged on edge and face to face in abutting relation, are fed in onelong stream to the stack formrnechanism, into which the lea ling endoftlie stream enters for a measured length and thereafter a separator,,wl ich marks off the remote terminus of said measured length, isinserted between those two cookies whose, abutting faces are spaced fromthe leading end of the stream by a distance most nearly corresponding tosaid measured length. in this way a stack of approximately the desiredlength is obtained and, although the number of cookies in the stack mayvary within relatively wide limits, the length of the stack ismaintained within relatively narrow limits at the desired predeterminedfigure,

According to another feature of the invention, the separator, which isalways moved toward the stream of cookies in a plane located at apredetermined distance from the leading end of the-stream andaccordingly, except by chance, seldom moves in plane exactly coincidingwith the plane of division between two cookies, is arranged so that itcan, whenever necessary feel or find way between two abutting cookiesand separate the same,inoving one ahead or: back in the stream, as thecase may be, whenever necessary.

More particularly and for this purpose, the separator, which ispreferably in the form of a thin wedge, is mounted eccentri- Cally forturning movement about parallel to its plane of movemcnt to and fromthestream and is made to turn as it engages a cookie in the stream. 1turning, the point of the w dgc is moved along the stream a short waysso that, if it is not already lodged in the peripheral groove formedbetween the roundd edge of the front face of one cookie and the flatrear face of the abutting cookie, it can more i such groove preparatoryto being later driven down between the cookies for the separatingfunction.

According to another feature of the invention, the separator, which ismoved into and out of the stream by a reciprocable can rier, is free tofloat in the carrier within narrow limits in one direction of itsreciprocatory movement so that, if and when it engages the periphery ofa cookie, it may momentarily come to rest in descending move ncntwhileits carrier continues to move due to the provisions for floating. Inthis way, as distinguished from a positive and unyielding forcing of theseparator into the stream, breakage of the cookies is reduced to aminimum because the separator can momentarily yield while the turningaction above described takes place, thereby allowing it to find a pathbetween two cookies before it is finally driven into position betweenthe same.

According to another feature of the invention, the leading, cookie ofthe stream engages one end of a reciprocable plunger which recedes asthe stream of cookies advances until a stack of the desired length isseparated and said end of the plunger is mounted to yield relatively tothe body thereof, when and if the stream of cookies is pushed ahead bythe separator in the act of dividing off a stack from the stream,- thestack being finally held between said end of the plunger and theseparator until removed from the machine.

According to another feature of the invention, the stack of cookies ismoved out of the machine by a transfer device moving transversely of thepath of travel of the plunger and said device is recessed to provideclearance for and permit a quick advancing of the plunger in anotherwise intercepting path back to cookie receiving position withoutwaiting for the return movement of the transfer device.

According to another feature of the invention, the cookies are fed tothe receiving plunger b two feed belts which travel in a substantiallyhorizontal path at somewhat greater speed than the plunger and the adjacent courses of which move in planes disposed in downwardly convergingrelation, thus forming, in effect, a trough of approximately V-shapedcross section and with moving walls into which the articles may beplaced by hand or otherwise. The rounded articles engage the belts attwo points 0111' and they are frictionally carried along wit 1 thebelts, as if hung on trunnions. The cookies, even if placed rathercarelessly in place on the feed belts will eventually be straightened upon edge and moved into proper face to face abutting relation because asa leaning cookie strikes the cookie ahead of it or the receivingplunger, as the case may be, it will slow down to the speed of saidcookie or plunger while the feed belts will continue to move the leaningcookie at greater speed at its points of contact therewith, whereby atilting or straightening up of the cookie results.

Other features and advantages will appear in the following descriptionand V will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention will be disclosed with reference to the one illustrativeembodiment of it in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine embodying the invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are cross sectional views taken on the lines 22, 3-3and l-4 respectively, of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary top plan views showing, respectively, theposition of the separator before and after it engages the stream ofcookies;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line '4' of g.1:

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line SS of 7;

Fig. 9 is'a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the same plane asFig. 8 but showing a stack of cookies separated from the stream;

Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrammatical plan views illustrative of theoperation of the separator; and

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are elevational views also illustrative of theaction of the sepa rator.

Referring to these drawings; the machine with respect to its principalelements and functions will first be briefly described. A pair of feedbelts 15 (Fig. l) are mounted so that their adjacent courses travel atthe same speed, in the same and in a substantially horizontal direction,and in planes which are disposed in downwardly converging relation (Fig.2). Articles, such as cookies 0, are placed by hand or otherwise in thetrough formed by these two belts and, contacting therewith at the twopoints of tangency 16, are carried forwardly (to the left as viewed inFig. 1) by frictional engagement until the leading cookie comes intoengagement with the end 17 of a plunger 18. The latter is mounted toreciprocatc in a horizontal path and the longitudinal center line of theplunger coincides, or substantially so, with the longitudinal centerline of the stream of cookies 0, when the same are straightened up onedge (positioned as shown in Figs. 2 and The plunger, atsuch time liesconsiderably to the right of the position shown in Fig. 1 and closelyadjacent the left hand ends of the path of travel-of bolts 15. Thisplunger recedes (moves to the left as viewed in Fig. 1.) as the cookiesare advanced by the belts but at a speed less than that of the belts anddue to the difference in speed the cookies are tilted on theirtrunnion-like points of contact 16 until they stand vertically on edge.

The straightened up stream of cookies continues to advance andthe-plunger 18 nontiues to recede until. the latter arrives t 1eposition illustrated in 1, at which time the leading end of the streamof cookies has advancec. into the stack-forming part of the L Lltmachine a measured and iiredetermined d stance, marked off at one end bythe plungerend 17 and at the other by a separator 19. The latter, whichis relatively thin and wedge-like in shape, is mounted to reciprocate inthe vertical path and it is also mounted for turning moveniient about anaxis 20 (Fig. 3) located eccentricaliy with respectto the center line ofits broad wedge-like face. The separator at this time is so positionedthat the plane of its broad face disposed an acute angle to the planesof the faces of the cookies(see Fig. 10) and, while thus positioned, itdescends relatively slowly, until its pointed end engages a cookie intie stream (Fig. 12). The separator is free to float or yield withinlimits loo no ALL.

driven by spur gearing 8:; from a inain bracket 28.

in the direction of 1 meat, whereby i while it turns until its bi thefaces of the cookies (see Fig. 11) or un til it feels or finds its way b,tween a pair of cookies, at which tini it is then driven down into theposition she 11 in Figs. 1 and 9. At this time, a stack of cookiesisheld by its ends between the separator and the plunger s reciprocatingniove- .1

halt momentarily end 17 as shown in F 9. V

Adjacent tne front side of this stack is a. transfer device 21 (Fig. l)and adjacent the opposite side is any suitable receiver, hereinexemplified as an intermittently novbl turret hav ng" suitable pocketssuch as 23, to receive the stacks of cookies. After a stack has beenseparated from the leading end of the stream of cookies,-the transferdevice 21 moves to the right a and carries the stack out from betweenits end supporting means 1? and 19 and into pocket 25 of the turretBefore this transfer is entirely completech the plunger 18 advances tothe right (if? I l and as it nears the separator 19,-whin has meanwhilebeen holding backthe strean of cookies, the separator rises and allowsthe plui ger end 1'? to be engaged by the lea cookie of the stream.

These various elements, above alluded to, together with other associatedelements, will hereinafter be separately and successively consId-red anddescribed in further detail.

The sup iorting frame of the machin in; cludes a suitablebase 2:"..anda. series of up standing; rackets 26, 2. 28 and 29 all secured thereto.The brackets 26 2? and 28 se ve to support a is drive shaft j ournalledin the base 25 and driven by any suitable means (not shown). Thebrackets 27 and 28 also carry shaft 34 which is fiKQQl thereto anddisposed above and parallel with shaft 31. tjhaft serves as a supportfor certain fixed and novable parts, as will later aopear. Brackets and29 serve to rotatably support a shaft on which the turret 22 is mounted.I I

The feed belts and associated partswill next be described. over twopulleys 36 and 37, the former being the driving pulley. One drivingpulley 36 3) has fixed thereto a shaft 38 whim is driven by bevelgearing 39 from a shaft 40, 'rotatably mounted in brackets 28 and 29.(Fig.

Shaft lO is driven by a chain ll and suitable sprockets from .i shaft81. which turns cont uously. Chain 41, which also serves to dci e shaft35, guided in the desired path by idler sprockets 42 and d3 mounted,respectively, to rn freely on shaftg and on c. stud lel fixed to T hedrive shaft 38 of one pulley is connected by bevel gears 45 to the drivbelt 15 is trained j l niiited relative inoveineit therebetween and ingshaft l6 of the other driving pulley 36. The drive shafts 38 and l6 arerotatabl; inoui'itcd in brackets 4t? fixed to the bracket 28. The idlerpulleys 37 for both belts 15 a e r tatably supported by a com nonbracket which is fixed to one end of a horizontal .oeltfrom and to guid1 the same in said course.

a 4 2 ion to is lined in wo runways are rigidly supported at end bybeing bolted (Fig. 8) to the V'- raped upper end of 1 with their bracketbelt engaging faces in right angular relation. 'lhe runways aresimilarly sruoporte;

I l their other ends by bracke L8. Secured to the in; and ad acent sideedges of the runway 53 are thin plates 5% which project upwardly beyondthe belt engaging: fares of the bars and prevent the belts fronislipping off said faces. To the opposite edge of each bar is is cured aplate 55 which projects vertically upwardly above the bar. llie;- 'eplates 55 form fixed upward extensions of the trough. formed by belts l5and serve is side guides for the inoving str an; of cookies carried bythe belts. Cenv above the stream of cookies is a top in the shape of abar which is fixed ngitudinally spaced intervals to the free of armsEach arm 57 is pivoted lower abutments x50 and 61 which ed to one of theplates are c are aoapt 55 and the 59, respectively, to limit theswinginoveinent of arms 57. The center gravity of the arms 57 and.connected bar is so disposed with relation to pivots that these partsare held l', their oi *n wei either of their two crctr ine positions. ibar 56, which functiors to prevent the cookes from jumping out of theirtrough, niay swung back to gain access to the trough placing of cookiesthereon. The 15 their run vays and associated parts iderabhr longer thanshown and broken away on acc unt of space an, x

t its limitations.

"l" he receiving plunger 18 cylindrical rod in one consists of a longend of which the cylindrical .in 63 of the plunger end 17 is sudablymounted (Figs. 1 and 9). There in and slot conneeion (i l between C andplunger 18, which connection per k p o ected position. Plunger 18 tomove again slowly at first and at gradually increasing speed, andcompletes its downward stroke. The separator therefore is arranged toengage the goods gently and in a man. calculated to reduce breakage ofthe cookies to a minimum.

The motion just described is that of the separator when it moves withthe carrier. As described, the separator can also more verticallvrelatively to the carrier so that its motion not always exactly that ofthe carrier. For example, when and if the pointed end of the separatorengages a cookie, distinguished from the groove between two cookies, theseparator is arrested thereby and the carrier can continue to descendfor a short distance leaving the separator for the moment stationary inits vertical path and pressing against the cookie only by its ownweightf It is at this time that the separator is turned and the meansfor turning it will now be described. Pivoted on a stud 83 fired tobracket 28 is a bell crank lever having vertically disposed arm 89, adepending arm 90 and a laterally extending arm 91. which ca r es a rollto ride on the p hof the cam disc 87 and on a cam 93 fixed to saidperiphery. A spring acts on arm 90 to pull the roll against the cam andan adjustable stop 94 coacts with arm 90 to limit the movement underthe" force of spring 93. The upper end of arm carriers an adjustableabutment 95 which is adapted to engage rod 78, move arm '4' and thusturn the separator into the position shown in Figs. 5 and 10 in whicnthe lJl'OitQl' face'of the separator is disposed at an acute angle tothe direction of travel of the cookies. The 92 is constructed to turnthe separator into such position ust shortly after the separator hasbeen raised to its upper position, in which rod 78 will the time whenthe end of the separator has engaged a cookie. At such timeit will bei'ioted, the separator is, or maybe, virtually stationary and ispressing against a cookie only by its weight. The spring swings theseparator in the direction of travelcf the cookies, indicated by thearrow in l ig. l0, and a movement of the point of the sepa: rator alongthe cookie equal to about halt the thickness ofthe cookie results. Itthis turning of the separator which permits it to hunt for an easy pathand feel its way between the two cookies. Thus. suppose that theseparator in descending strikes the periphery of cookie about midwaybetween its faces. as shown in Fig. 12-. the sepinfatorwill swing andits point will travel forwardly (in the direction of travel of thecookie str am) and the motion is sufiicient to carry its point to theforward face of this cookie so that the separator, when straightened outto parallel the face of the cookie lies in the plane of division betweentwo cookies. At or about this time, the sep arator is positively forceddown to separate a stack from the stream. Suppose that the point of theseparator strikes exactly into the peripheral groove between twocookies. as shown in Fig. 13, then when the separator turns the forwardcookie will be pushed ahead for the separator is constantly forced downby its own weight and prevented from climbing up the rounded edges ofthe forward cookie. It is to take care of such cases, viz. when a cookieis pushed ahead by the separator. that the plunger head 17 is yieldablyconnected to its plunger.

Accordingly. the spring 63 compresses in such cases. Also, in the finaldescending movement of the. separator there is a wedging apart of theseparated cookies which pushes the stack forwardly and compresses spring63. Suppose for third example} that the separator strikes in between thetwo points described (see Fig. 14) so that it cannot. in turning, movefar enou h ahead to reach the next division plane. then the point islodged on the rounded edge of the cookie and has dropped down so farthat it will not climb up the rounded surface when the separator turns.If the separator can then turn, which is not always possible. the cookiemay be pushed ahead thereby but if it is so lodged as to be held fromturning then the cookies are separated more by a wedging action. Thus,the descent of the separator will wedge the forward cookie ahead and asit descends the spring straight ens it up and aids in the separation.The essential idea is that the separator can hunt for the nearest groovebetween two cookies and lodge in such groove before being positivelymoved down.

The transfer device consists of upper and lower pusher arms 96 and 97(Fig. separated by a slot or recess 97 which provides clearance for themovement of the plunger 17 in what would otherwise be an interceptingpath. These arms 96 and 97 are connected together and to a pair of arms98 which have a common hub mounted to turn freely on shaft 34. Connectedwith said hub is an arm 99 which is pivot-ally connected to a yoke 100mounted to slide on a square block 101 free to turn on shaft 31. betweenand slidably engages the face of a cam disc 102 and the end face of acollar 103 fixed on shaft 33. The yoke has a roll to ride in a path camformed in disc 102. This cam is constructed to swing the pusher arms 96and 97 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, almost immediately after theplunger 17 Yoke 100 fits.

comes to rest in its left hand position to thereby carry the stack ofcook' into a pocket of turret The cam is also constructed to return thetransfer device into the illustrated position immediately that thetransfer function has been accomplished and to hold the devicestationary in such position until the plunger 18 again comes to rest inits receded or eme let hand position. It will be remembered. that theplunger has a short movement of recession just after the separatingoperation and the purpose of this final receding movement is to relievethe spring 63 of any stress to which it may have been subjected duringthe separatii g operation and also to loosen the cookies oi the stackenough to facilitate the transfer of the stack without breiiikage. Forexample, if the arms 90 and 97 pushed the cookies out of engagen'ientwith the head 1'? and such head had been moved inwardly during theseparating operation shown in Fig. 9) compressing spring 6. -3, then thelatter would, soon as permitted, push the head 17 outwardly and thiswould occur just as the end cookie "as being disengaged therefrom. Theresult would likely be a breaking of the cookie which itis desired toavoid.

The pusher arms 90 and coact with an inclined gate 101 to form a troughto support the cookies as they advance into position for the stackforming function. Gate is fixed on a shaft 105 mounted at one end inbracket 70 and at. the other end in a bracket 106 which is liked tobracket 27. The bracket 106 carries an adjustable stop 10? which isadapted to be engaged by a lug 108 on the gate. A spring 109, connectinglug 108 to a collar 1 10 fixed to a shaft normally holds lug 108 againststop 10? and the gate in the illustrated position. During the transferof a. stack of cookies, the gate swings back until it forms a floor overwhich the stack passes to a pocket 23. The gate, being at all timesyieldingly pushed against the stack of cookies, holds them in properstack formation (hiring the transfer. Side plates 111, formed asextensions of arcuate side plates 112 for turret 22, engage the endcookies of a stack during the trans fer. A top plate 113 is mounted onthe upper edges of walls 11.1 and is preferably held in place in mannerto permit convcn ient removal, as by the handle bolt 113. The rear sideplate 111 has an opening 1141 (Fig; 9) to permit passage of plunger 18and the front side plate terminates short of the path of travel of theplunger and separator 19 as shown in Fig. 7. The top plate 113 has anopening 115 to permit the descent and turning of the separator.

The turret 22 is disclosed herein merely as one illustration of somesuitable receiving means. This turret, as shown, is designed to carrythe stacks successively to a wrapping mechanism but the invention,obviously, is independent of the particular re ceiving means to whichthe stacks are trans ferred. 11s showmthe turret is designed to bedriven intern'iittently and in timed relation to the stack formingmechanisn'i, above described. leferring to Fig. 8, the shaft 35, whichis driven by chain 11 from cam shaft 31, has fixed thereto a crank 116adapted to cooperate with at Geneva cam 11? fixed on a shaft 118,supported in brackets 28 and 29. Fixed to shaft 118 is a pinion 119(Fig. 4t) which drives a gear 120. The latter, which has a pitchdiameter twice that of pinion 115), is fixed to turret The arrangementis such that during a portion of each revolution of shaft (while thecookies are being fed into the stack forming mechanism.) shaft 118 isturned one sixth of a revolution, as a consequence of which the turret22, due to the gearing 119 -120 is turned one twelfth of a revolution.Thus, the pockets 28 of turret are successively advanced into stackreceiving position in proper timed relation with the stack formingmechanism.

The operation will be clear from the foregoing description but will besunm'iariaed here. The cookies 0 are placed manually or otherwise in theap n'oximately V-shaped receiving trough formed by and between the innerand adjacent courses of feed belts 15. These cookies are placed'on edgeand so that their broad faces lie transverse to the path of travel ofbelts 15, whereby on account of the rounded contour of the cookies eachthereof has point contact with each belt. i-iccordingly, the cookies arecarried along by the bolts as if hung on trunnions. Consequently, whenthe leading cookie of the stream engages the plunger end or abutment 17,which travels in the same direction but at somewhat slower speed, saidcookie, is tilted, and sm'ceeding cookies in the stream are tilted byengagement with the cookies preceding them, until all are brought intoupright position with their flat faces in abutting relation.

This stream of cookies is fed forwardly past the separator 19, theplunger 18 travelling in the same direction and the cookies beingcontinually pushed thereagainst by the feed belts to maintain thecookies in abutment and in upright position. After the plunger hastravelled a measured distance in such direction, the separator 19descends until it touches one of the cookies, halts momentarily in itsdescent if necessary while the separator turns to hunt for. and feel.its way into, the division plane between two cookies and thereaftercontinues its descent into the stream and separates a stack from theleading end thereof. In many cases, the stack of cookies will be shovedahead as the .ltlll separator Wedges in between two cookies whereforethe spring 63 is provided to allow abutment 17 to yield and preventbreakage of the cookies. The stack having been thus separated thetransfer device moves against the stack held between the plunger 18 andseparator 19 and moves the stack transversely against the yieldingpressure of plate 10-1; and into a pocket 23 of turret 22. Just prior tothis transfer, the plunger 18 moves back just enough to take the stressoff spring 63 so that the abutment cannot be projected outwardly by thespring when the stack of cookies is pushed out of contact with theabutment. Immediately after the stack of rookies has been disengagedfrom the plunger and separator, the former moves back'towards theseparator without waiting for the return of the transfer device, passingfreely between the pusher arms 96 and 97. As the abutment 17 nears theseparator the latter is lifted and by the time that it has been raisedfree from the cookies, which it has theretofore been holding back, theabutment 17 takes its place and takes up the load. The plungerimmediately starts its advancing stroketo permit another measuret lengthof cookies to advance past the separator and be formed into a stack asabove described.

The invention has been disclosed herein, in an embodiment at presentpreferred, for illustrative purposes but the scope of the invention isdefinedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

lVhat we claim is:

1. In combination, means for supporting a plurality of articles on edgeand face to face in abutting relation and for feeding the articles in acontinuous stream while thus supported, a receiving plunger againstwhich the leading article in the stream abuts, means for moving saidplunger in the same direction as LhS stream, a. separator mountedadjacent the path of travel of said articles and for movement into andout of the stream. means operable after a measured length of the leadingend of said stream has been moved past said separator to move the latterinto said stream and divide off from the leading end thereof a stack ofarticles of approximately predetermined length, and means for removingthe stack of articles held between said plunger and separator.

2. In combination, means for supporting a plurality of articles on edgeand face to face in abutting relation and for feeding the articles in acontinuous stream while thus supported, a receiving plunger againstwhich the leading article in the stream abuts, means for moving saidplunger in the same direction as the stream, a separator mountedadjacent the 1 ath of travel of said articles and for movement into andout of the stream, means operable after a measured length of the leadingend of said stream has been moved past said separator to move the latterinto said stream and divideoff from the leading end thereof a stack ofarticles of approximately predetermined length, means for removing thedivided off stack of articles held between said plunger and separator ina direction transverse to that of the travel of the articles in saidstream, and a receiving means into which the stack is moved by the lastnamed means.

3. In combination, means for moving a stream of articles while disposedface to face in abutting relation in a direction at right angles to theplane of their abutting faces, a. separator blade mounted for move .mentinto and out of said stream in a path transverse to the path of travelof said articles and mounted also for limited movement along saidstream. means whereby the blade in moving toward said stream is alsomoved along the same into the plane of division b tween two abuttingarticlrs, and means for moving the blade into and subsequently out ofsaid stream.

4-. in combination, means for moving a stream of articles while disposedface to face in abutting relation in a direction at right angles to theplane of their abutting faces, a separator blade mounted for move mentinto and out of said stream in a path transverse to the path of travelof said articles and mounted also for limited movement along saidstream, means whereby the blade in moving toward said stream is alsomoved along the same into the plane of di vision between two abuttingarticles, and means for moving the blade into and subsequently out ofsaid stream, said last named means constructed and arranged to permitthe blade to yield if necessary in its move ment into the stream whileit moves aloi'ig the same into said division plane.

5. In combination, means for moving a stream of articles while disposedface to face inabutting relation in a direction at right angles to theplane of their abutting faces, a separator blade mounted for movement into and out of said stream in a path transverse to the path of travel ofsaid articles and mounted also for limited movement along said stream,means operable while the blade is moving toward said stream toyieldingly move it along the same into the plane of division between twoabutting articlcs, and means for moving the blade into and subsequentlyout of said stream.

6. in combination. means for moving a stream of. articles 'whiledisposed face to face in abutting relation in a direction at rightan.;les to the plane of their abutting faces, a relatively thin,broad-faced separator blade, each broad face of which converges into ablunt centrally disposed point adapt ed to engage the articles, and areciprocable carrier in which said blade is supported for Hill limitedturning moven'ient about an axis parallel with but otiset from thecenter line of said broad faces and by which the blade is moved into andout of said streaiin in a direction parallel to said axis and at rightangles to the direction or movement o't said strean'i.

7. In combination, means for moving; a stream oi articles while disposedface to face in abutting relation in a direction a; right angles to theplane or their abutting faces, a relatively thin, broad-faced separatorblade, each broad face of which converges into a blunt centrallydisposed point adapted to engage the articles, a reciprocable carrier inwhich said blade is supporteo for limited turning movement about an axisparallel with but ollset from the center line of said broad laces and bywhich the blade is moved into and out oi? said stream in a directionparallel to said axis and at right angles to the direction of movementof said stream, means for initially poitioning the broad faces of saidblade to lie at an acute angle with the plane oi? the abutting races olisaid articles, and resilient means tending to turn said blade onengagement with the articles into a position such that thc broad facesthereot parallel said abutting iii-aces.

8. In combination, means tor supporting articles on edge and face totaco in abutting relation and for feeding the articles in a continuousstream while thus supported, a separator adjacent the path of travel oisaid articles and past which a of the leading end ot the st for movingthe separator into t divide oil. a plurality of articles from theleading end of said stream, and means for turning the separator as itmoves toward the stream and at approximately the time when it is broughtinto engagement with one or more of the articles composing such stream.

9. In combination, means tor supporting articles on edge and face toface in abutting relation and tor feeding the articles in a continuousstream while thus supported, a sep arator adjacent the path oi travel ofsaid articlcs and past which a measured length of the leading end ot thestream ted, said separator con'iprising a blade adapted to be insertedbetween adjacent articles in said stream and having a wedge like point,a carrier in which aid separator is mounted l or limited turningmovement about an axis oilset from the center line o'l? said wedge likepoint, means iior moving the 'arrier to move the separator into and outof: the streairn, and means for turning the separator during itsmovement toward the stream.

10. In combination, means -tor moving a stream or articles whiledisposed face to face in abutting relation in a direction at rightangles to the plane of their abutting iaces,

a separator comprising a relati ly thin blade adapted to be insertedbetween the abutting laces oi two articles in said stream and havingrelatively broad :taces adapted to engage said. laces ot the articlesand provided with an approximately V -shaped point, means for movingsaid blade in a direction at right angles to the path of travel oi saidarticles to carry said point first into engagement with said articlesand then between two abutting articles to separate the same, means forpositioning said blade so that its broad lives he at an acute angle withrespect to the abnting faces oli said articles as s id point firstengages the same, i lor turning said blade about an axis otlset from thecenter line of said V- .shaped point to carry the point alon the streamof articles and into the plane or division between succeeding articles,said turnmeans operating at about the time of n nial engagement oil.said point with the articles and before the same finally thrust inbetween adjacent articles.

ll. ln'combination, means for moving a. stream ot articles whiledisposed face to face in aluitting relation in a direction at right aglen to toe plane oi their abutting faces, a separator comprising arelatively thin blade adapted to be inserted between the abutting lacesof two articles in said stream and having relatively broad laces adaptedto engage said faces 01"? the articles and provided. with an api.'0ximately V-shaped point, means for moving said blade in a directionat right angles to the path of travel of said articles to carry saidpoint first into engagement with said articles and then between twoabutting articles to separate the same, means for positioning said bladeso that its broad tacos lie at an acute angle with respect to theabutting :laces O'l said articles as said point first engages thesame,means tor turning said blade about an axis oflisetlroin the center lineof said V-shaped point to carry the point along the stream of articlesand into the plane of division between SIHJCOQtllUg articles, saidturning means operati'izg at about the time of initial engnigement ofsaid point with the articles and lJQlOlG the same is finally thrust inbetween adjacent articles, and means permitting said blade to yieldtemporarily in its movement toward the stream while said turning meansoperates.

12. In COIHblIIatlOII, means for moving a stream oi? articles whiledisposed face to face in abutting relation in a direction at rightanglesto the plane of their alnitting faces, a separator con'iprising arelatively thin blade adapted to be inserted between the abutting facesof two articles in said stream. and having relatively broad facesadapted to engage said faces of the articles and provided with anapproximately V- lll) shaped point, means for moving said blade in adirection at right angles to the path of travel of said articles tocarry said point into engagement with said. articles, then between twoabutting articles to separate the same and subsequently out of saidstream,

means for positioning said blade so that its broad faces lie at an acuteangle with respect to the abutting faces of said articles as said pointfirst engages the same, means for yieldingly turning said blade about anaxis offset from the center line of said V- shaped point to carry thepointalong the 'mounted so that adjacent courses thereof travel in thesame direction and at the same speedand so that said belts form betweenthem a substantially V-shaped trough into which substantially disc-likearticles may be placed with their faces disposed transversely to thepath of travel of said belts and so that the rounded peripheries thereofhave point. contact with each belt, an abutment disposed in the path oftravel of said articles and adapted to be engaged by the leadingarticles in the stream, and means for moving said abutment in thedirection of travel of the articles but at a somewhat slower speed,whereby as the leading article engages said slower moving abutment andsucceeding articles in the stream engage the articles ahead of them, thearticles are tilted about said points of contact as pivots andstraightened up so as to lie vertically on edge and face to face inabutting relation. 7

14. In combination, feeding means for moving a stream of disc-likearticles arranged on edge and face to face in abutting relation in adirection transverse to the plane of their abutting faces, a receivingplunger mounted to move baclc and forth in the path of travel of saidarticles, means for moving the plunger to meet the stream of articlesand cause the leading article to engage the same and for subsequentlymoving said plunger at a rate substantially commensurate with that ofsaid stream and 1n the same direction, a separator mounted adjacent thepath of travel of said articles and for movement into and out of saidstream, means operable after a measured length of articles have movedpast the separator for moving the same into said stream to divide off astack from the leading end thereof, and means for removing the dividedofi stash held between said abutment andseparator, said plunger movingmeans. op-

erable just prior to the removal of said stack to move the plunger awayfrom the end of the stack sufiiciently to free the articles therein fromend pressure.

15. In combination, feeding means .for moving a stream of disc-likearticles arranged on edge and face to face in abutting relation in adirection transverse to the plane of their abutting faces, a receivingplunger mounted to move back and forth in the path of travel of saidarticles, an abutment mounted on said plunger for limited movementrelatively thereto in the direction of imovement of said plunger,resilient means normally projecting said abutment outwardly relativelyto said plunger, means for moving the plunger to meet the stream ofarticles and cause the leading article to engage said abutment and forsubsequently moving said plunger at a rate substantially commensuratewith that of saidstream and in the same direction, a separator mountedadjacent the path of travel of said articles and for movement into andout of said stream, means operable after a measured length of articleshave moved past the separator for moving the same into said stream todivide off a stack from the leading end thereof, said resilient meanspermitting said abutment to yield if the divided ofi stack forced aheadby the separator, means for .removing the divided ofi' stack heldbetween said abutment and separator, and means for relieving the stressin said resilient means prior to the operation of the last named means.

16. In combination, feeding means for moving a stream of disc-likearticles arranged on edge and face to face in abutting relation in adirection transverse to the plane of their abutting faces, a receivingplunger mounted to move back and forth in the path of travel of saidarticles, means for moving the plunger to meet the stream of articlesand cause the leading article to engage the same and for subsequentlymoving said plunger at a speed substantially commensurate with thatof'said stream and in the same direction, a separator mounted adjacentthe path of travel of said articles and for movement into and outof said stream, means operable after a measured length of articles havemoved past the separator for moving the same into said stream to divideoff a stack from the leading end thereof, and intermittently operablemeans comprising upper and lower spaced pusher arms movable back andforth in a path transverse to that of said articles for successivelyremoving the divided ofi stacks held between said plunger and separator,said plunger moving means operable to move the plunger back; again the Istream f articles immediately after the divided 0a stack aaiaveaterm-ittently operable means toieturn' and come to rest;- saliclplu'nger when-so moved. passingthrough the s pauce between I; saidpusher arms.

' 17.' In combination, an intermittently reciproca'ble transfer devicecomprising up- -'-per'- and lower spaced 'pusher arms, a gate oppos'edto said device and yieldingly heldin" the path of movement thereof, saidplate -m1d the ends of said arms when et =rest fOrn'nngbetwe'en --tl1e1na substantially V- "Shapedreceivingtrough, meansfor-successi'vely'ieeding stacksof dis'c like articles into s&id troughwhile the plate end ti'ansfer device areat rest; a plunger-engaged fhythe leading article of the stack and movable =thereWith as the same isfed' into saidmeceiw *ing trough, said plunger dwelling 1n omenterilyafter a stack has been fed into-said trough during the initial stageof-0pemtion" of said transfer device and then 're- "turning in the spacebetween said pusher arms to meet the leading end of a succeeding"stack-0farticles beforetheicompletion of Iv themovement of saidtransfer device.

'In testimony: whereof We'have affixed our signzttures.

'ELMER LOVELL SMITH. ARTHUR E PHELON.

